On January 23rd, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) in cooperation with the Sub-Department of Son La Crop production and Plant protection successfully organized the start-up workshop for the "Agro-biodiversity conservation and development for poor communities in response to climate change in Son La Province" project by in Thuan Chau district, Son La province.

The workshop attracted the participation of 45 participants from Son La Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Sub-Department of Son La Crop production and Plant protection, Thuan Chau District People's Committee, Agricultural Extension Station, the Youth's Union, Women's Union, leaders of Muoi Noi & Bon Phang Communes and representatives from 8 villages.

The workshop aimed to introduce the project information including its objectives and expected results, cooperation mechanism and project plan of action in 2018, as well as the roles and responsibilities of local partners. Last but not least, the signing ceremony of the project cooperation agreement between SRD and the Sub-Department of Son La Crop production and Plant protection and local partners was a highlight of this workshop.

Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Cam Thi Phong - Deputy Director of Son La Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was delighted with the SRD's project that is in hope to help with conservation and development of agricultural biodiversity in Thuan Chau District. She also emphasized and expressed strong commitment of Son La People's Committee as well as related departments in order to create the most favorable conditions for the effective implementation of the project.

At the workshop, SRD also received the cooperation commitment and trust from the leaders of Thuan Chau People's Committee and the managing agency (VUSTA) in the project implementation in Son La Province.

On behalf of SRD, Mrs. Nguyen Kim Ngan – Executive Director of SRD emphasized on the project's specific expectations after 3 years including:
1) Increasing income for local people, especially the poor and nearly poor households; 2) Improving the food production system to ensure food security and better response to climate change; 3) Increasing decision-making capacity for ethnic minorities, especially women, in deciding and selecting appropriate livelihood models towards biodiversity. Mrs. Ngan also appreciated the participation of the delegates to the workshop and wished for a long-term and fruitful partnership between SRD and the Sub-Department of Son La Crop production and Plant protection, as well as other departments, unions from the provincial to the district levels.

At the end of the workshop, Mrs. Nguyen Kim Ngan and Mr. Duong Gia Dinh - Director of the Sub-Department of Son La Crop production and Plant protection signed the cooperation agreement in the presence of all delegates.

Mrs. Nguyen Kim Ngan & Mr. Duong Gia Dinh sign the project cooperation agreement

 Ms. Cam Thi Phong - Deputy Director of

Son La Department of Agriculture and Rural Development speaks at the workshop

 Mr. Bac Cam Khuyen -Vice Chairman of Thuan Chau District People's Committee shares at the workshop

 Mr. Duong Gia Dinh Director of the Sub-Department of

Son La Crop production and Plant protection speaks at the workshop

 Group photo of delegates